An ‘intoxicated’ British female holidaymaker tried to open the emergency exit door of a packed Jet2 passenger flight in mid-air, a court heard yesterday.
Chloe Haines, 26, was restrained by cabin crew and passengers on the flight after it left London Stansted Airport.
Jet2 sent her an £85,000 ($110,000) bill after the incident on June 22 this year, which saw two RAF jets scrambled to escort the plane back to Stansted.
Haines allegedly scratched cabin crew member Charley Coombe, Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court Northeast of London heard.
Two Typhoon fighters were scrambled to intercept the Airbus 321 bound for Dalaman in Turkey to guide it back to Stansted, where Haines was arrested.
She was later charged with assault by beating and a reckless or negligent act in a manner likely to endanger aircraft or people in an aircraft.
Haines appeared behind the reinforced glass of the dock in courtroom two this morning, but did not enter a plea.
She spoke only to confirm her name, age and address in the brief hearing and looked to be holding back tears.
Katharine Houghton, prosecuting, told the court the matter was too serious to be heard today and must go to crown court.
The lawyer said Haines stood up shortly after take-off and threatened cabin crew.
The Typhoon fighter aircraft caused sonic booms as they flew to meet the plane and escorted it back to Stansted.
District Judge Timothy King granted Haines bail on the condition she must not enter any UK airport and sent the case to crown court where she will enter a plea.
Jet2 said in a statement following the incident that Haines had been given both a £85,000 bill and a lifetime ban from the airline.
